Abstract:

Programmes on education and training in radiation protection for medical exposures have the potential not only to improve occupational safety for the personnel but also to reduce the inappropriate use of radiopharmacy practices.

This study was aimed to assess the radiation safety for staff members at radiopharmacy unit at Bugando Medical Centre. Whereby protective equipment, wearing of protective gears, time spent in radiation exposure and radiation effects were all observed.

Total of radiopharmacy workers were included in this study. The data in this cross section study was collected by using interview, observation and questionnaire. Furthermore, carefully interpretation was done through SPSS version 17.

About 45.5 percent of staff members have received formal training and 54.5 percent have not received any formal training concerning radiopharmaceutical. About 18.2 percent of workers spend 1 to 2 hours, 27.3 percent spend 2 to 3 hours and 54.5 spend more than 3 hours. The study shows there was no relation between age of staff and radiations effects which present a significant relationship in levels of p>0.05 and 22.7 percent of staff members had experiencing minor effect like headache and 77.3 percent had no effect. There is a variety of disciplines and stakeholders involved in radiation protection for medical exposures. According to the complexity of the procedure, multidisciplinary teamwork may be necessary to justify practices and individual exposures, to optimize protection, to minimize risks, and to prevent the occurrence of potential incidents and accidents. The level of awareness concerning with radiation protection influences in staff behavior. If they have not enough information related to mentioned issue, their action will not be safe and resulted to many adverse effects.